Proud principal jumps for joy - The West Australian

North Albany Senior High School principal Sharon Doohan jumped and screamed for joy last Thursday when she was told her school had ranked higher than Albany Senior High School in a list of the State’s top schools.

The Great Southern had five schools in the top 50 in WA when the School Curriculum and Standards Authority released rankings last week.

Ms Doohan was aware her school had made the list, but it was not until a press conference in Albany last week that she learned just how well the school had done, and she could not contain her excitement.

NASHS ranked 28 in the State, behind Denmark High School at 25 and above Albany Senior High School at 39, while Mt Barker Community College came in at 42 and independent private school Great Southern Grammar at 45.

It is believed to be the first time in a decade or more that NASHS has ranked in the top schools.

North Albany graduates Yasmyn Skinner and Tia Evers, who were also present when the news broke, found it hard to believe they had performed so well.

Ms Doohan said the achievment showed regional public school students could do well.

“We’re very proud and very thrilled for the students theselves because it does mean that they can achieve their aspirations,” she said.

Education director-general Sharyn O’Neill said NASHS was the standout school on the list due to turning its performance around when the school was subject to a negative expert review in 2009.

“(The school) takes probably more of the lower socio-economic students than say its counterparts in town at Albany Senior High School or Great Southern Grammar … they have some kids who are possibly more challenged in their learning than (those at) other schools,” she said.

“When I looked at the list, I was surprised and delighted to see them there, as an acknowledgment of a lot of hard work at that school.

“I’m particularly happy with North Albany Senior High School because they’ve had a lot to work on.”

Ms O’Neill said her expectations of the school had been high and the result had vindicated their work.

“I don’t think we’ve seen them in the top 50 for probably 10 years,” she said.